THE SPIRIT’S SWORD
published by
Mt. Baker church of Christ
1860 Mt. Baker Hwy · Bellingham, WA 98226
Volume V, Number 46 - February 10, 2002
Editor..................Joe R. Price
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In this issue:
Steven F. Deaton
In the course of a discussion the other day, I asked a man to read a certain chapter from the Bible and get back to me about our topic. He said he would read it, but it would not matter what it says, because he would continue in his practice anyway. He said God would have to come down and speak to him from a burning bush before he would change his mind. Many people have this attitude, that is dead wrong.
The attitude of "I don't care what it says," reveals a lack of respect for God's word. The Bible is inspired, therefore it is authoritative (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:15). God revealed it to men through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10-13). No spiritual truth was left out (John 16:13; Jude 3). Hence, men can read all they need to know about pleasing God and going to heaven (2 Peter 1:3).
Further, God's word was confirmed by miracles (Hebrews 2:3-4). There is no need for further revelation, nor a miracle to confirm it.
The bottom line is, men are simply not satisfied with what God has authorized. They want something more or different. They want what "feels" good to them, not what honors God. Though they may draw near to God with their mouth, in works they deny Him (Matthew 15:7-9; Titus 1:16).
What about you? Does it matter to you what God says? Is there a belief or practice you are unwilling to give up or change though God's word does not authorize it?
Instead of saying, "I don't care what it says, I'm going to do it anyway," our attitude needs to be, "I don't care what anyone says, I'm going to do what God says" (cf. Galatians 1:10).
http://www.lawofliberty.com/idontcare.htm
Joe R. Price
God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds (Heb. 1:1-2).
This verse assures us that:
God has spoken. How fortunate we are that He has! Without God speaking His will to us, we would not know how to please Him. Man cannot direct himself to God without God's help (Jer. 10:23).
God has spoken in these last days. "The last days" is a phrase used in Scripture to identify the period of the Messiah's reign (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:16-17; 1 Pet. 1:20). It is the gospel age, when the complete blessings of God are dispensed to man through Christ (Eph. 1:9-10). The "last days" began on Pentecost, Acts 2:16-17.
God has spoken to us in these last days by His Son. The words of Jesus are the words of God (Jno. 7:16). Those words were proclaimed and recorded by His apostles through inspiration of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 16:8; Eph. 3:3-5; 2 Pet. 1:21). Therefore, we can have confidence that the words of the apostles are the very words of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). By receiving their words one is receiving Christ and the Father who sent Him (Matt. 10:40). When one rejects their words he is rejecting Christ and the Father, and he shall be judged by that word in the last day (Lk. 10:16; Jno. 12:48).
The word of God was completely revealed to the apostles (John 16:8; Jude 3; Eph. 3:3-5). Therefore, the scriptures they wrote are completely adequate to meet our spiritual needs (2 Tim. 3:16-17). It is in-corruptible, authoritative and understandable (1 Pet. 1:22-25; 1 Cor.14:37; Jno. 8:31-32). We can completely trust it!
But, not everyone is content to let God have the final word. Some believe God continues to reveal Himself to them through visions, dreams, feelings, experiences, voices, church councils, and the like. Others claim they believe in the completeness of the word of God, but they deny it by adding to or taking away from its teachings. Many people are dissatisfied with the completed revelation of God's word. This is evidenced by the epidemic proportions of religious division in the world.
Here are some reasons for man's dissatisfaction with God's completed revelation of truth:
1. Foolish and ignorant questionings (2 Tim. 2:23). This person is not satisfied with the Bible's explanation of things. He is convinced that spirituality is defined by seeking for the unknown and unknowable. He does not know this shows a lack of faith (Deut. 29:29). Refuse such questions, knowing they will only cause strife.
2. Fables (1 Tim. 1:3-4; 4:7; 2 Tim. 4:4; 2 Pet. 1:16). A fable is a story which is unsupported by facts. How many fables have men believed in the name of religion?! The first century word of God, the New Testament, exposes the fables of men (Gal. 1:8-9).
3. The commandments of men (Titus 1:4). Man's authority in spiritual things must come from heaven (Matt. 21:25). Whenever men establish religious commands for themselves and others it is a clear sign that they are not satisfied with the commands of God (Matt. 15:1-9).
4. Selfishness and pride (2 Cor. 2:17; 4:2). Some preach and teach the gospel with a hidden agenda (Phil. 1:15-17). These are not satisfied to let love for truth and the souls of men motivate their lives. Instead, the truth only satisfies this person if it can be used to his advantage.
5. Spiritual immaturity (2 Pet. 3:15-18). This person may be convinced that his false doctrine is correct because he lacks proper grounding in Bible knowledge. "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing" when it leads us away from the completely revealed word of God!
6. Satan's deceptions (2 Cor. 11:13-15). We can be assured Satan wants people to be dissatisfied with what God has spoken by His Son. God's full and complete word completely equips us to fight Satan and be victorious in Christ (Eph. 6:10-18; 2 Cor. 2:11).
Don't be deceived. The Bible is complete. God has spoken to us in His Son!
You can find the complete outline of this sermon at BIBLE ANSWERS
WHY DON'T SOME CHRISTIANS GROW?
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 5:11-6:3
Intro.
-When Christians Do Not Grow Spiritually, The Results Are:
1. Weak & susceptible to temptation - 1 Pet. 5:8-9.
2. Unproductive in bearing the fruits of righteousness - 2 Pet. 1:5-8.
3. Will become spiritual blind & forgetful - 2 Pet. 1:9.
4. Will stumble, fall & not enter heaven! - 2 Pet. 1:10-11.
-WHY DO SOME CHRISTIANS FAIL TO GROW UP TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY? Heb. 5:11-6:12
Conclusion
1. God sees & rewards our efforts to grow & mature - Heb. 6:9-10.
2. We must be diligent with faithful patience to inherit the promises - Heb. 6:12.
You can find the complete outline of this sermon at BIBLE ANSWERS
Part 6
OVERCOMING WORLDLINESS: Dressing Immodestly
Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 2:8-15
Intro.
Phil. 2:14-16 (Matt. 6:13-16) - Like everything else, our clothing
must reflect reverence for God & exert a good influence upon men - Rom. 12:2.
I. ONE'S CLOTHING REFLECTS EITHER GODLINESS OR UNGODLINESS -
Prov. 7:10; Gen. 38:14-16 (Rev. 17:4).
A. Those Professing Godliness Should Dress Accordingly - 1 Tim. 2:9-10; 1 Pet.
3:3-6.
II. WE CAN DEFINE IMMODESTY & APPLY IT TO OUR CLOTHING:
A. The Words Used In 1 Timothy 2:9:
1. Modest (kosmios) - "Orderly, well-arranged, decent... "
(Vine). cf. 1 Tim. 3:2.
2. Shamefastness (aidos) - "A sense of shame, modesty"
(Vine). cf. Jer. 8:12
3. Sobriety (sophrosune) - "Soundness of mind...sound
judgment."
B. The Words Used In 1 Peter 3:3-4:
1. Meek (praos) - "Denotes gentle, mild."
2. Quiet (hesuchios) - "Indicates tranquillity arising from
within, causing no disturbance to others."
3. One's clothing should express a meek & quiet spirit.
C. Nakedness As Defined In The Bible: Lacking a full complement of normal clothing
- Jno. 21:7; Gen. 3:7 with 3:21; Exo. 28:42; Isa. 47:2-3.
D. A Telling Contrast.
E. Making Practical Applications Is Possible!
III. SOME OF THE REASONS OFFERED BY THOSE SEEKING COMPROMISE.
A. "You Can't Draw A Line Showing Where Modesty Ends & Immodesty
Begins."
B. Multiple Reasons For Wearing Immodest Clothing.
C. Where Is The Plea For All That We Can Do To Be Modest Rather Than The Least We
Have To Do? - 1 Pet. 2:9-10 (2 Cor. 6:14-18)
(Current events in the light of Scripture)
Headlines In The News
Joe R. Price
Over the past couple of weeks the following headlines have been seen in the news (comments in brackets):
"POPULAR BIBLE TO BE MADE GENDER-NEUTRAL"
{The neutering of divine scripture in "Today's New International Version" (TNIV) is paving the way for "scriptural" approval of women leadership in the church, make no mistake about it. Mistranslating God's word will not destroy it, but it will produce unreliable translations of it (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Pet. 1:22-25). We must be careful to use an English translation which honors the text rather than popular opinion. Beware of the TNIV!}
"CHINESE CHRISTIAN APPEALS AGAINST PRISON TERM FOR BIBLE SMUGGLING"
{Two Chinese man was sentenced to a three year prison term for trying to bring Bibles into mainland China from Hong Kong. So, while American Bible translators are re-writing the Bible to suit cultural trends, Chinese are being arrested for trying to get Bibles to their countrymen! Shouldn't we be trying to get the Bible to the lost souls around us?}
"WORSHIPPER'S HOLY SPIRIT FALL NETS HER $80,000 FROM CHURCH"
{You have to read this story!}
A New York parishioner has won $80,000 compensation after falling while a church minister was blessing her.
Sophia Reitan, from Long Island, originally wanted $4 million. She fractured her arm in the fall during the Pentecostal service.
Her lawyer says the Holy Spirit made her fall, but the Upper Room Tabernacle Church should have arranged for someone to catch her.
Andrew Siben told the New York Post: "She was caused to fall by the Holy Spirit but unfortunately there was no-one there to catch her when she fell."
Ms Reitan, 65, said: "God loves me," when she was told of the cash award in the personal injury case. (Ananova.com)
{God loves Ms. Reitan, but I guess the Holy Spirit could send a blessing but not prevent a broken arm! Evidently, He does not "love" the Upper Room Tabernacle Church, since they are now $80,000 poorer! How ridiculous and blasphemous against the Holy Spirit and His real work! (Mk. 17-20; Heb. 2:3-4; 1 Cor. 2:1-13)}
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